Cal Raleigh contract extension proves an important point for the Chicago Cubs

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has been a player loosely rumored to be a target for the Chicago Cubs, considering their need for a catcher in recent seasons.

By all accounts, the Cubs never got the impression that the Mariners were ever interested in trading for Raleigh. That belief was confirmed on Tuesday when the Mariners agreed to a five-year extension with Raleigh. Raleigh is set to earn $105MM with his new deal with the Mariners.

As the Cubs have learned over the past fair, given their failed efforts to trade for Logan O'Hoppe, teams aren't willing to give up their good catchers. In fact, it is rare for catchers to reach free agency in their prime.

With that in mind, the Cubs are entering the 2025 season with Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly as their catching tandem. The Cubs hope that Amaya’s offensive resurgence during the closing months of the 2024 season is a sign of a breakout season in 2025. If it is, then it’s likely that the Cubs would entertain the idea of an extension with Amaya after this season. However, even that possibility could be clouded by the expected work stoppage following the 2026 season. As of now, Amaya is splitting catching duties with Kelly.

Cal Raleigh extension proves one thing for the Chicago Cubs.

If Amaya isn't the answer at catcher for the Cubs, the Raleigh extension proves that the Cubs will need to find the solution internally. Again, good catchers often don’t become available. That could point the Cubs in the direction of Moises Ballesteros. Ballesteros has risen to the top of the Cubs minor-league rankings with a bat that is believed to already be ready for the Major Leagues. The question for Ballesteros has been his defense as there has been internal belief in the Cubs organization that he may not be an everyday catcher.

Beyond Ballesteros, it wouldn't be clear who would be the next catcher in the waiting for the Cubs. Pablo Aliendo has descended toward the bottom of the Cubs' Top 30 prospect rankings, and with stunted offensive development, he may not be a feasible long-term option if the Cubs are still looking for one after 2025.